Post by oneillthegiant on May 25, 2013 21:20:06 GMT
Q&A with Manchester's Brett Clouthier 2009
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This is Brett’s fourth season in the Elite Ice Hockey League in the UK and in that short time, he has made a real name for himself as debatably the toughest hockey player in the league.
Q & A with Brett Clouthier of the Manchester Phoenix:
Firstly, Brett, I would like to thank you on behalf of EIHL Hockey Fight forum members for taking the time out to answer these questions, it is very much appreciated.
1. Okay, so the first question. You are half way through your 4th season here in the UK icing for the Manchester Phoenix, as you know, my favourite team! How have you found it over here so far and how do you feel you have performed?
BC: I Love the UK. The fans and organization have been top notch here and have made me feel as comfortable as possible. I feel that I have fufilled my role as an enforcer quite well and I am also happy with my point production. This year I would like more points but my role has change to a 3rd line checker and our team is winning way more games so I am happy to sacrafice points for wins.
2. What do you think the standard of play is in this league, and which league would it be most comparable to back in North America?
BC: Well I only played in the AHL back home and the standard of hockey there is as close to the NHL so it’s a lot better than here. Dont get me wrong though the elite league has a lot of top players from the ECHL and CL who if I'm sure had a chance could have made it to the AHL/NHL. The quality of play is high and with only 2 games a week the tempo is high pace.
3. You have fought some big names during your career back in North America, people such as Orr, Godard, McGrattan, Sugden and Fritz. Who do you think is the toughest person you have fought, in any of the leagues that you have played in?
BC: I think that the toughest player I have ever fought was a guy by the name of Steve Mclaren. He was touted as the toughest guy in the AHL for many years and was fear by a lot of people. I got the chance to fight him and won so that was a big confidence boost. Colton Orr I would say punched the hardest though, my skull felt like mush for a week.
4. People were wondering what happened to start the fight between you and Skiehar in Belfast. Did you “eye-gouge” him during the fight as it seemed like you took a disliking to each other after the game?
BC: It looked like I eye gauged him but he was burying his head in my chest and I was trying to pull his hear off of there and it just so happened that my pushing hand was against his eye. That incident is over and I got punished for it
5. Who is the toughest guy you’ve fought over here in the UK? And who do you dislike the most out of the all the other enforcers/heavyweights in this league?
BC: The toughest guy I think was Paul ferone, I beat him in the fight but he hit me with a couple of good shots and for such a small guy I thought he would never come close to getting hit. As for dislikes, no one really bothers me out there but for style of play against my team mates I'd say the biggest dummy is Andre Payette.
6. What is the best fight you’ve ever been in, or enjoyed the most? I personally enjoyed it when you TKO’d Andrew Sharp of the Sheffield Steelers this year. Was that enjoyable for you, considering the history you’ve got with that club?
BC: Back home the best fight I would say I have ever been in was in juniors with a guy named Trevor Gillies. We punched each other so many times I couldn’t keep track. As for here my favorite fight was this year against Rumun Ndur. Back when I was 13 I used to watch him in junior when he played for Guelph and thought he was so tough. This year we finally fought and I got him pretty good with 2 rights and sent him to the floor. Its memorable because I remember when I was 13 and Ndur was the toughest guy alive to me and I floored him.
7. Whilst you were growing up, did you ever look up to any of the tough guys?
BC: I used to love seeing Bob Probert when I was a kid. I was not a huge fan of the fights and enjoyed the scorers more but there was something about Probert because he could beat up anyone and get 30 goals in a year.
8. Were you disappointed that you didn’t get called up to the NHL when other guys that you fought and beat, were being called up?
BC: I was really disappointed. I kept fighting these tough guys and winning but they were getting the call ups and I wasn’t. I have no excuses though, I had 5 years to make it and I have no one to blame but myself.
9. Are you friendly with any of the other tough guys in this league, off the ice?
BC: Me and Carlye Lewis are good buddies. We played together in the New Jersey system and have kept touch since. Last year we went to Dublin for St. Paddy's and had a blast. He's a great guy and a super tough fighter
10. Are you being kept on your “leash” by your coach, Tony Hand, in games when maybe you think you need to get involved in a fight?
BC: Tony does keep a leash on me but he likes a good fight more than anyone. Tony wants to take care of the game first and then deal with the rest. He does give me the green light from time to time and when he does I’m hoping the other guy will accept.
11. As you know with hockey fights, you win some, and you lose some. In your case, your only ever “real lose” was an unlucky one to Andre Payette when he managed to drop you with one punch after a bit of a struggle. How did you feel sitting in the penalty box? Did you want to get straight back on the ice for a rematch, or did it not bother you?
BC: It didn’t bother me at all. I give credit to him he caught me with a good one but I knew the next game he wouldn’t get so lucky. The next game in warm up I told him I was gonna get my belt back and that’s exactly what I did.
12. I’ve been given this question by my good friend Anthony, a keen Belfast Giants fan! So I am only quoting this!! “Belfast is a nice city with the best fans in the league, so will you come and join them next season?”
BC: Belfast is a beautiful city and their fans are great but I pretty much have mancunian blood in me now and this city has taken me in as one of there own. As for joining them or any club , I’ve always said I would go anywhere in this league but Manchester is my first choice and they will always have first crack at me
13. Out of all the players that you have fought during your career, which one do you think throws the hardest punch?
BC: Colton Orr. Sorry I answered that already!
14. When you play the role of Enforcer, how often do players refuse fights and how do you decide when you pick a fight with someone?
BC: Nowadays I don’t pick the fights unless someone has done something to one of our guys. This year my fights have gone down because no one is asking, when they have asked Ive accepted and responded
15. Do you fight better when you are clam or angry?
BC: I think technically I fight better calm but I do more damage angry and get more damage done to me angry becuse I'll fight so open
16. I believe you are quite good on the Wii? Is this something that you and the rest of the Phoenix team get up to when not on the ice and what games are your favourite?
BC: A cold pint or a video game is what we get up too in our time off. As for the wii, I have the title in Mario Kart so I think that would be my go too game
Well Brett, that’s it! Thank you very much for answering the questions and I wish you good luck with the rest of the season and I hope you and the guys manage to bring some more silverware to the Ice Dome.
BC: Bringing home some trophys is number 1 priority on our list
One last comment to close the session with is that Anthony wanted me to mention that everybody, from all fans who support various teams in the EIHL rate you as the toughest in the league and we hope you stay around for a long time as you are a joy to watch.
BC: Thanks a lot for the support and I hope to be back. Thanks, Clootch.
This is Brett’s fourth season in the Elite Ice Hockey League in the UK and in that short time, he has made a real name for himself as debatably the toughest hockey player in the league.
Q & A with Brett Clouthier of the Manchester Phoenix:
Firstly, Brett, I would like to thank you on behalf of EIHL Hockey Fight forum members for taking the time out to answer these questions, it is very much appreciated.
1. Okay, so the first question. You are half way through your 4th season here in the UK icing for the Manchester Phoenix, as you know, my favourite team! How have you found it over here so far and how do you feel you have performed?
BC: I Love the UK. The fans and organization have been top notch here and have made me feel as comfortable as possible. I feel that I have fufilled my role as an enforcer quite well and I am also happy with my point production. This year I would like more points but my role has change to a 3rd line checker and our team is winning way more games so I am happy to sacrafice points for wins.
2. What do you think the standard of play is in this league, and which league would it be most comparable to back in North America?
BC: Well I only played in the AHL back home and the standard of hockey there is as close to the NHL so it’s a lot better than here. Dont get me wrong though the elite league has a lot of top players from the ECHL and CL who if I'm sure had a chance could have made it to the AHL/NHL. The quality of play is high and with only 2 games a week the tempo is high pace.
3. You have fought some big names during your career back in North America, people such as Orr, Godard, McGrattan, Sugden and Fritz. Who do you think is the toughest person you have fought, in any of the leagues that you have played in?
BC: I think that the toughest player I have ever fought was a guy by the name of Steve Mclaren. He was touted as the toughest guy in the AHL for many years and was fear by a lot of people. I got the chance to fight him and won so that was a big confidence boost. Colton Orr I would say punched the hardest though, my skull felt like mush for a week.
4. People were wondering what happened to start the fight between you and Skiehar in Belfast. Did you “eye-gouge” him during the fight as it seemed like you took a disliking to each other after the game?
BC: It looked like I eye gauged him but he was burying his head in my chest and I was trying to pull his hear off of there and it just so happened that my pushing hand was against his eye. That incident is over and I got punished for it
5. Who is the toughest guy you’ve fought over here in the UK? And who do you dislike the most out of the all the other enforcers/heavyweights in this league?
BC: The toughest guy I think was Paul ferone, I beat him in the fight but he hit me with a couple of good shots and for such a small guy I thought he would never come close to getting hit. As for dislikes, no one really bothers me out there but for style of play against my team mates I'd say the biggest dummy is Andre Payette.
6. What is the best fight you’ve ever been in, or enjoyed the most? I personally enjoyed it when you TKO’d Andrew Sharp of the Sheffield Steelers this year. Was that enjoyable for you, considering the history you’ve got with that club?
BC: Back home the best fight I would say I have ever been in was in juniors with a guy named Trevor Gillies. We punched each other so many times I couldn’t keep track. As for here my favorite fight was this year against Rumun Ndur. Back when I was 13 I used to watch him in junior when he played for Guelph and thought he was so tough. This year we finally fought and I got him pretty good with 2 rights and sent him to the floor. Its memorable because I remember when I was 13 and Ndur was the toughest guy alive to me and I floored him.
7. Whilst you were growing up, did you ever look up to any of the tough guys?
BC: I used to love seeing Bob Probert when I was a kid. I was not a huge fan of the fights and enjoyed the scorers more but there was something about Probert because he could beat up anyone and get 30 goals in a year.
8. Were you disappointed that you didn’t get called up to the NHL when other guys that you fought and beat, were being called up?
BC: I was really disappointed. I kept fighting these tough guys and winning but they were getting the call ups and I wasn’t. I have no excuses though, I had 5 years to make it and I have no one to blame but myself.
9. Are you friendly with any of the other tough guys in this league, off the ice?
BC: Me and Carlye Lewis are good buddies. We played together in the New Jersey system and have kept touch since. Last year we went to Dublin for St. Paddy's and had a blast. He's a great guy and a super tough fighter
10. Are you being kept on your “leash” by your coach, Tony Hand, in games when maybe you think you need to get involved in a fight?
BC: Tony does keep a leash on me but he likes a good fight more than anyone. Tony wants to take care of the game first and then deal with the rest. He does give me the green light from time to time and when he does I’m hoping the other guy will accept.
11. As you know with hockey fights, you win some, and you lose some. In your case, your only ever “real lose” was an unlucky one to Andre Payette when he managed to drop you with one punch after a bit of a struggle. How did you feel sitting in the penalty box? Did you want to get straight back on the ice for a rematch, or did it not bother you?
BC: It didn’t bother me at all. I give credit to him he caught me with a good one but I knew the next game he wouldn’t get so lucky. The next game in warm up I told him I was gonna get my belt back and that’s exactly what I did.
12. I’ve been given this question by my good friend Anthony, a keen Belfast Giants fan! So I am only quoting this!! “Belfast is a nice city with the best fans in the league, so will you come and join them next season?”
BC: Belfast is a beautiful city and their fans are great but I pretty much have mancunian blood in me now and this city has taken me in as one of there own. As for joining them or any club , I’ve always said I would go anywhere in this league but Manchester is my first choice and they will always have first crack at me
13. Out of all the players that you have fought during your career, which one do you think throws the hardest punch?
BC: Colton Orr. Sorry I answered that already!
14. When you play the role of Enforcer, how often do players refuse fights and how do you decide when you pick a fight with someone?
BC: Nowadays I don’t pick the fights unless someone has done something to one of our guys. This year my fights have gone down because no one is asking, when they have asked Ive accepted and responded
15. Do you fight better when you are clam or angry?
BC: I think technically I fight better calm but I do more damage angry and get more damage done to me angry becuse I'll fight so open
16. I believe you are quite good on the Wii? Is this something that you and the rest of the Phoenix team get up to when not on the ice and what games are your favourite?
BC: A cold pint or a video game is what we get up too in our time off. As for the wii, I have the title in Mario Kart so I think that would be my go too game
Well Brett, that’s it! Thank you very much for answering the questions and I wish you good luck with the rest of the season and I hope you and the guys manage to bring some more silverware to the Ice Dome.
BC: Bringing home some trophys is number 1 priority on our list
One last comment to close the session with is that Anthony wanted me to mention that everybody, from all fans who support various teams in the EIHL rate you as the toughest in the league and we hope you stay around for a long time as you are a joy to watch.
BC: Thanks a lot for the support and I hope to be back. Thanks, Clootch.